News from Cathcart Trinity Church... Page 2 The monthly prayer meeting (2nd Wednesday of each month) and the prayer breakfasts (last Saturday of each month) in Cathcart United Free

www.cathcarttrinity.org.uk Page 1

Wednesday Coffee Group The Wednesday coffee group has returned after the festive break and we wish everyone, health and happiness for 2019. Since I last wrote, we have had a very successful session from September to December with all the regular faces and a few new, but always room for more. Last session we managed to donate £150 to friends of the Samaritans, £100 for 10 bricks to commemorate the soldiers who lost their lives in the world wars, £150 to the charity S.A.N.D.S, and £225 for the fabric of the church. We meet from 10am – 12noon on a Wednesday morning in the Buchanan Hall, all will be made very welcome.

Linda Craig

Prayer matters! Throughout the process which we undertook to seek God’s vision for Cathcart Trinity, it was clear that prayer was very important for many people within our congregation. In many of the conversations, we acknowledged that we would only be guided and directed by God when we took time to talk and listen to Him in prayer. We also acknowledged that we needed encouragement and help to develop our prayer lives as individuals and as a congregation. We recognised that a deeper prayer life would lead to a closer walk with God, a deepening of our faith in God and enable us to be a stronger witness within our community. Prayer therefore is at the heart of all the areas identified within the Vision exercise.

News from Cathcart Trinity Church January & February 2019


The monthly prayer meeting (2nd Wednesday of each month) and the prayer breakfasts (last Saturday of each month) in Cathcart United Free Church are just 2 of the opportunities we have to join together with others to pray – for individuals and groups of people, for local and world situations, for our congregation and community, for our government and world leaders… the list is endless! There are people who come along to these meetings who are comfortable praying aloud, and others who join in silently so even if you have never prayed with others before, please think about making this a part of your prayer life in 2019. Another way of being part of a praying community is via the email prayer group – a 21st century version of a prayer chain. Prayer requests are quickly and easily shared through an email group and people can join in praying together without having to leave their home. If you would like to join this group and commit to praying through each request, then all you need to do is: Email [email protected] Check your emails regularly Pray!

If you would like us to pray for someone or for a particular situation, then please send details of the request to [email protected] . While confidentiality should be respected at all times, please check first that the person involved is happy for details to be shared. It’s also good to share how God has answered these prayers! In Colossians 4:2 we are challenged, ‘Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.’ Will 2019 be the year where we take up that challenge and experience God’s blessing as we draw close to him in prayer?

Fiona Paton. A word from our Minister: “We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3


In these early weeks of 2019 I’ve found myself praying for you in the terms of Paul’s prayer in First Thessalonians - thanking God for your faith, hope and love and for the fruit these qualities have produced in your lives through God’s power at work in you. As I look around, I see so many of you engaged in faithful loving service; so many people sharing their time, talents and resources in a whole variety of different ways. So I begin this year saying thank you to God and also to each of you. Cathcart Trinity Church would not be what it is without either your faith in God or everything else that each of you brings to the fellowship. Thank you. In images, such as that of the church being “the body of Christ” the Bible reminds us of an amazing truth that God has gifted each of us uniquely with the Holy Spirit and with the skills and talents needed to enable His church to share his love and message of salvation with the world. Each one of us is necessary; each one of us has been called to be part of God’s community. To put it another way - your church needs you and what you alone can bring to it through God at work in you.

So as I thank you, I also want to challenge you. Is there anything that you feel God is niggling at you about? Is there an area of service that God has laid on your heart? Is there something that you feel God is calling you to pray about? If you would appreciate a conversation about any of this, please get in touch with me. And if not, please keep doing what you’re doing – stay rooted in faith, love and hope and allow God to continue to use you as he works out his purposes in you and for you. With my love and prayers for 2019

Alasdair. Ordination of New Elders It is with a sense of joy and eager anticipation that elders will be welcoming Gary Bainbridge, Alyson Elder, Pam Kitchin and Christine Penney in to the Kirk Session. We look forward to enjoying their fellowship and benefitting from the particular skills and experience each of them will bring. I would ask the congregation to join us in upholding each of them in prayer as they respond to God’s latest calling on their lives.

Angus Morrison.


Local Church Review Meeting 25th February On Monday 25th February a team from Glasgow Presbytery are coming to Cathcart Trinity to help us complete our side of the Local Church Review – a Presbytery level review intended to help congregations reflect on where they are currently and where they would like to be. Anyone associated with Cathcart Trinity is welcome to come to the Church for 7.30pm on the 25th of February to be part of this discussion. As it would be helpful to have some indication of how many folk are intending to come along, can you please note your name on the sheet in the vestibule or let me know by phone or email if you hope to be there. If a lack of transport is the only thing stopping you from coming, please indicate that at the same time so we can look at making arrangements to get you there. Please also pray that God would lead us through this process and where it goes afterwards, as well as for the team from Presbytery who will be coming along and writing the report to be presented at Presbytery. Thank you,

Alasdair.

Messy Church Catering Messy church happens on the third Saturday of every month and after all the crafts and celebration time, everyone sits down to enjoy a meal together. The catering team have a great time in the kitchen preparing and serving the meal then clearing up afterwards. We are looking to expand the team and it would be great if some of you reading this article would consider coming along to join us. We work on a rota basis and so the commitment would be one Saturday every two months from about 3 till 6.30 pm. No previous kitchen experience required! This exciting opportunity is open to both men and women. If you can help, please speak to Fiona Jones or Gay Morrison. Stated Annual Meeting The Stated Annual Meeting of Cathcart Trinity Church will be held at the close of morning worship on Sunday 17th March 2019. Anyone is welcome to attend and questions are encouraged. More details will follow in due course.


Thank you I would like to thank the congregation for the many gifts, phone calls, visits, cards and flowers that I have received in the last few months. It’s always nice to hear of many friends through the newsletter, visits from members of the Guild and Art and Craft Club. I have now moved to Jenny’s Well Care Home but my thoughts and prayers are always with Cathcart Trinity Ministers and members.

Mary Davidson .

Art and Craft Club We have now restarted after the Christmas break and can look forward to lots more activity both creatively and socially. Last session we enjoyed our Winter Lunch outing to Scholars Restaurant in November and then selected the 6 worthy causes listed below each to receive £200: Bravehound Scotland Macmillan Cancer Care The UK Sepsis Trust Scottish Association for Mental Health Deafblind Scotland Guide Dogs Scotland As we look forward to Spring, we will be holding our Coffee Morning, Show and Sale of Work on Saturday 16th March between 10am and 12noon and we hope to see many of you there to support us. To all members of the club, keep up the good work!!

Fiona Sutherland


My Favourite Bible Passage Psalm 23 For those who do not know I have managed one of Glasgow’s Crematoriums for the last 23 years, therefore I’ve heard this verse read and sung so many times. It is the verse I always turn to in silent prayer or song when I see families in grief or on occasions when I’ve been asked to say a few words at a funeral service. But most of all it helps me remain settled in Gods promises of hope, love and healing when faced with sadness and sorrow on a daily basis. A good number of years ago, before I became a Christian, a minister reflected on the passage at a funeral. His name was Rev Tait and the way he explained the passage has stayed with me till this day. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

In this verse, we are told that as Gods sheep we must lay down, rest, be still and calm our troubled heart for he will refresh us before leading us on the right path. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Here we are told that we must walk through the valley of the shadow of death. However, it does not say we will stay there but walk through. As we do so he will protect and guide us just as the shepherd would use his staff to protect his sheep from attack and keep them on the chosen path. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. We are told that in the mist of all our troubles and dangers that everything has been prepared for our arrival and just like a cup will overflow when too much is poured in, we will overflow with joy in his presence.


Surely your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Finally, with destination reached you are invited into the safety of the good shepherd’s house where Love and forgiveness will be with you all of your days. As Christians we never know when and what impact we may have in someone’s life by what we read, sing, say or do. This was the case for me, not only on this occasion but on several other more profound moments in my life. Be patient and Trust in the Lord

John Wright. Glasgow South East Foodbank I would like to thank you for the wonderful donations of food and gifts which you made to the Foodbank during the Christmas period. It really was a superb effort and many people benefitted from your generosity. When people were given their gifts and Christmas food bag they were often overwhelmed and we saw quite a few tears in the Foodbank during this time.

Many people want to give something back when things are better for them and I think that shows that most people don’t want to be in that situation. Thank you too for all of your support throughout the year and best wishes for 2019.

Anne G. Hind.



reConnected Men’s Breakfast – coming soon Following on from the successful speaker evening in October with Roddy MacLeod from Christian Men Together, we are planning a Saturday morning Men’s Breakfast event soon. This would have a 9.00am start and be an informal chance to share in fellowship, chat, hot rolls and coffee! Details of date and venue will be announced soon, but meantime, if you have any suggestions for other kinds of men’s events, please let Dougie Paton or Tom Purdom know. If they include food, so much the better. reConnected builds on a strong heritage of well-supported Christian men’s events locally and is designed to be informal and occasional with no syllabus, subscription or formal membership.

Christian Men Together for Scotland presents The Commission Men’s Conference Saturday 2 March 2019 The 2019 Commission day conference will be held at Woodhill Evangelical Church, Bishopbriggs on Saturday 2nd March. We will be exploring how, as Christian men, we can make a difference in our country. Sessions will be led by two excellent Bible teachers, Andy Bannister and Ian Coffey, who will explain how we can be salt in our secular society and how we can bring light to a nation which seems to be drifting away from God. Early bird tickets are only £14, including lunch – see Dougie Paton ( [email protected] ) to book.


It would be great to have another large Cathcart contingent at this major event. There is also an evening concert, with the New Scottish Hymns Band and Ian Coffey taking part. This is open to all, and free tickets can be reserved at christianmentogether.com/evening-ticket. Christian Men Together (CMT) for Scotland exists to encourage and equip Christian men for life at home, at work, at church and in their communities, and to enable them to share the gospel. Cathcart OMF Prayer Meeting What can we do in Cathcart about the millions of unreached people in Asia who have never heard about Jesus? We can pray! Join us on Friday 1st February between 1pm and 2.30pm at 33 Tankerland Road, all welcome.

Church family news: We were sorry to learn of the passing of Sheila Caddell, Margaret Roy & George Greenlees. We were also saddened to learn of the passing of good friends of Cathcart Trinty, Ernest Apicella, Stanley Roote and Evelyn Clark. We give thanks for their lives and for their involvement in our Church and pray that they may now be at peace in God’s glorious heaven. Susan and Douglas Gillespie have left Cathcart Trinity by disjunction. We offer our congratulations and prayers for a long and happy life together to Margo Kinnear & Conor Doherty and Sarah Jones & Gary Carr following their marriages.

June Allison

Travelling with Jesus on the way to Jerusalem: Luke’s Gospel

Tuesdays: January 15th, 22nd & 29th and February 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th

12:30 pm - Simple lunch

1:30 pm - Time for Reflection 3:00 pm - Finish

Heather Macdonald, 07583 037 669, [email protected]


The Guild The first half of the session is now over and we have had a really interesting and inspiring syllabus. Our Coffee Morning at the start of November raised £426.50 and we extend our thanks to all who supported it in any way. At our AGM on 4th December, we disbursed our funds as

follows: Cathcart Trinity Church towards heating and lighting £1,000, Williamwood House £100, Threshold (Crossreach) £100, Scottish Bible Society £100, Church House £100 and Lodging House Mission £100 (total (£1,500). We are now looking forward to the second half of our session with the following programme: January 15th: Holy Beetle Drive 22nd Tangible Texts 29th Glasgow City Mission - Mr. G. Steven February 5th Classrooms for Malawi - Ms. P. Duffy 12th In House 19th The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice - Ms. J. Douglas 26th Community Police - Ms. L. MacDonald As usual a welcome is extended to anyone who may find any of these talks of interest to come to the Kent Hall for 7.30 pm. Friday March 1st is the World Day of Prayer. Details of local services will be to hand soon. An outing has been arranged by the Guild to visit Cardwell Garden Centre, by Gourock, on Tuesday 9th April. A bus has been booked to leave the Church at 10am and it will leave Cardwell Garden Centre at 3.30pm for the return journey. A one-course lunch with tea/coffee has also been booked. As yet, a firm price has not been reached, but the total will not exceed £20. We hope members and friends of the congregation would like to take seats on the bus for this day out. Cardwell is more than a garden centre with a huge array of fancy goods, cards,


books, food stuffs, art and craft goods, as well as several shops, and of course, everything your spring garden needs. Please do come along. Names should be given to either Margaret McHarg or Margaret Brough. Margaret Brough.


Being a praying congregation is part of our vision.

We can pray with one another and for one another.

All we need is a heart open to God: to speak to Him, to listen to Him.

We can go to God in prayer just as we are.

Prayer with others respects confidentiality and is a shared time speaking and listening to God.

Who: anyone.

When: at the end of worship.

Where: near the band.

Our prayer may include: • thanksgiving • concerns in our community / world • about a particular issue • for our church family • for ourselves • response to what God is saying



Prayer opportunities All of these will take place at Cathcart United Free Church of Scotland, Struan Road Prayer Breakfast Saturday 26th January 8.30am – 10am This will be our first Prayer Breakfast for 2019. This is a good way to start the New Year as we pray committing the work of our churches for the coming months. Why not come and join with fellow Christians giving thanks for the past and seeking God’s help for the future. A time of fellowship is spent over breakfast followed by prayer. ‘The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.’ Psalm 33 v 11

Prayer Breakfast Saturday 23rd February 8.30am – 10am Come and join us for a time of fellowship as we have breakfast and chat followed by an opportunity to join together and pray for our church leaders who play a very important part in our church life. It is good to be part of this special time as we lift our leaders before the throne of grace and commit them to our Lord and Saviour as they seek to serve Him in Cathcart community. ‘Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.’ 1 Peter 5 v 2 &3

Monthly Prayer Meeting Wednesday 13th February 13th 7:30 pm And when you pray Matthew 6:7a ‘How do you eat yours?’ That was the question in a certain egg-shaped confectionery advert. The implication being that there is no right way to do it, but rather it’s about how you best experience the egg. How do you pray? Perhaps you haven’t really thought about it too much. Perhaps it’s now hard to concentrate because you’re thinking about chocolate, but regardless of appetite, past experiences, how we wrap it up or try to explain it, prayer can be rather confusing. It can often be a mystery. It can at times seem like a chore. It can even be a blessed relief.


So then, how do you pray? Are you a morning person? Do you greet the sunrise with thanks and praise to our God? Do you utter hopeful words and try and live them throughout the day to come? Are you more spontaneous? Do you respond to life with a ‘breath prayer’, off the cuff, as life makes you dance to its tune and in each moment you seek the steadying hand of our Creator and Sustainer? Perhaps you find yourself needing space. Like a free-diver coming up for air after plumbing the depths. Maybe you carve out some time in your day to be still and know the presence of God. You may prefer to reflect on your day in the presence of God, as was the practice of Ignatius of Loyola, who gave us the daily examen – a way of praying that helps us

recognise God’s presence in the midst of the day just lived. The practice of prayer is part of the lifeblood of our faith. We may find ourselves in the darkest of circumstances, when prayer is the only thing that we can turn to for comfort. We might see prayer as that thing we do together on a Sunday, or as the words said on our behalf by a minister or worship leader. Maybe it is the one thing that keeps us going, those times when we can just let God know how we are feeling. It might even be that thing that happens by accident or that we’re unaware of until, looking back on a time of quiet, perhaps with a cup of tea or watching the world go by from our living room window, we realise that in the stillness, God was there the whole time.

Whatever your habit or preference may not really matter. What is important is that we are having the conversation, that we are opening ourselves up to God in whatever moment we can manage, that in some way prayer is part of our life. Prayer may be a constant companion on the journey, or a friend that visits once in a while, to bring comfort and solace. It may be something deeper, more mysterious that is largely left unspoken, something felt, yearned for, grieved over or something long-forgotten brought to mind. How we pray then, is not the most important thing, but rather that the experience of prayer and the encounter with God is recognised. That our faith is tended and our relationship with God is nurtured, in precious moments.


No fancy wrapping is needed and it may not always taste sweet but, in the midst of life, listening for and opening our hearts to God is indeed food for the soul. Resourcing Worship Team, Mission & Discipleship Council Safeguarding Training Dates 2019 (Volunteers) Working with children, young people or vulnerable adults in our church? • Volunteers are required to do

training to help us all to have a shared understanding about safeguarding.

• Could you look at the list of possible dates and venues and select what suits you best?

• Volunteer training will be booked by Donald Macleod.

• When you contact Donald, please give him your email address and a contact number as this is required when booking.

• If you are no longer working with children, young people or vulnerable adults, please let me know.

• Please do not hesitate to contact me if you want to talk about the training, your role or any other safeguarding matter.

Thank you for all you do to keep our church a safe place for all.

Linda Burke [email protected]

Donald Macleod [email protected]

Date Time Church Wed 5 Dec

7 – 9.30pm St James’ Pollok 183 Meiklerig Crescent, G53 5NA

Tues 22 Jan

7 – 9.30pm Springburn 180 Springburn Way, Springburn, G21 1TU

Thurs 7 Feb

7 – 9.30pm Wellington University Ave / Southpark Ave, G12 8LE

Tus 12 Feb

7 – 9.30pm Netherlee 130 Ormonde Avenue, Netherlee, G44 3SL

Wed 27 Mar

7 – 9.30pm Wallacewell 57 Northgate Road, Balornock, G21 3QT

Tues 7 May

7 – 9.30pm Partick South 259 Dumbarton Road, G11 6AB

Thurs 6 Jun

7 – 9.30pm Maryhill 1990 Maryhill Road, G20 0EF

mailto:[email protected]


January & February at a Glance

Sunday 20th January 11.00am Morning Worship.

6.30pm Evening Worship

Monday 21st January 2pm Moments Cafe

Tuesday 22nd January 6.15pm Snowdrops

7.30pm The Guild

Thursday 24th January 12.45pm Lunchtime Service

Saturday 26th January 8.30am Prayer Breakfast (UF Church)

Sunday 27th January 11.00am Morning Worship

6.30pm Evening Worship (Communion @ Cathcart UF Church of Scotland)

Tuesday 29th January 6.15pm Snowdrops

7.30pm The Guild

Thursday 31st January 12.45pm Lunchtime Service

Sunday 3rd February 11.00am Morning Worship


Monday 4th February 2pm Moments Cafe

Tuesday 5th February 6.15pm Snowdrops

7.30pm The Guild

Thursday 7th February 12.45pm Lunchtime Service

7.30pm Board Games @ Cathcart UF Church of Scotland

Friday 8th February 7.15pm Roll back the Years Disco

Sunday 10th February 11.00am Morning Worship

2.45pm Cartvale Service



7.30pm The Guild

Wednesday 13th February 7.30pm Prayer Meeting @ Cathcart UF Church


Saturday 16th February 4pm Messy Church




Monday 18th February 2pm Moments Cafe


7.30pm The Guild

Thursday 21st February 12.45pm Lunchtime Service

Saturday 23rd February 8.30am Prayer Breakfast (UF Church)



Monday 25th February 7.30pm Local Church Review Meeting


7.30pm The Guild


Bookings have opened for this year’s SU Holidays and we have been celebrating 500 young people booked to events since the beginning of January. Please pray for young people to hear about the events and have the opportunity to book. We’d love to see over 2,000 young people enjoying a brilliant holiday this year. The Holidays Sponsorship Appeal will be arriving with people at the end of the month. Please pray for a generous response to this Appeal, which helps provide subsidies for those who would otherwise not be able to attend a Holiday. The money received also helps cover some of the costs for all those who volunteer to be part of a team at events. Give thanks for everyone who gives their time to lead at an event and pray for all the preparations that will be taking place over the next few weeks for events happening at Easter. Encounter is an inspiring, fast-moving prayer event for youth groups with the aim of encouraging a new generation to pray. The programme is put together and delivered by a young team and includes worship, testimony, Bible teaching, mini-workshops and different opportunities to pray: alone, together, and in a multi-sensory way at various themed prayer stations. Young people love it. Don’t miss it! Join others at Grangemouth on Sunday 10th March – speak to Cara for more details.


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Cathcart Trinity Church, 90 Clarkston Rd, Glasgow G44 3DA

Cathcart Trinity Church is a registered Scottish Charity, SC033802

Key Church Contacts:

Minister: Rev Alasdair MacMillan

0141 391 9102 [email protected]

Session Clerk: Angus Morrison 0141 649 2417

[email protected]

Documents

News from Cathcart Trinity Church... Page 2 The monthly prayer meeting (2nd Wednesday of each month) and the prayer breakfasts (last Saturday of each month) in Cathcart United Free